New plans in the making for Hillsborough Port

Minister of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs, Kindra Mathurine-Stewart, has given assurance that “Hillsborough will remain the main Town of Carriacou,” amidst mixed feelings arising from the relocation of the main port from the Town of Hillsborough, to Harvey Vale in the southern part of the island.

The new and more spacious Tyrrel Bay Port facility was recently commissioned at Harvey Vale

THE NEW TODAY understands that some individuals have expressed concern with the additional cost, now arising with the longer distance in transporting goods from the new port in the south, to the central district of Hillsborough, which is regarded as the island’s central economic hub.

Minister Mathurine-Stewart sought to ease some of the concerns expressed by many, in her address at the recently held ceremony marking the historic formal opening of the new port facility.

She said: “Ladies and gentlemen, I am aware of the mixed feelings and concerns of some people here in Carriacou and Petite Martinique, about the ports relocation to Harvey Vale, but let me assure that Hillsborough will remain our main Town of Carriacou and economic activities will still be viable and alive in Hillsborough.

“However, we ought to know that change is inevitable and we have of course to learn to adopt”, she added, noting that, the relocation of the port presents an “opportunity to be creative, innovative and to try new things now that more space is available.”

The smaller Hillsborough Port located in the capital city of the sister isle

According to the minister, government has already started the process of conceptualising plans for the Hillsborough area and that these would be revealed “at a future date.”

She urged persons in doubt to focus rather on the “benefits to be derived from this new facility,” stressing that “already jobs were created and much more will come now that it (Tyrrel Bay Port) is completed”.

“We can all appreciate the economic value and potential of a port to a country and I know that the Grenada Ports Authority (GPA) will ensure that this port live up to its fullest potential, especially at this time when Grenada is positioning itself to be lead in ICT,” Mathurine-Stewart declared.

Carriacou is considered as a garrison constituency for the ruling New National Party (NNP) since 1999.